Permits property owners or contractors to utilize an independent building inspector if the municipality’s building inspector does not inspect the property within twenty days of notification.
Allows a municipality to set its own conveyance tax rate for residential properties sold in excess of $900,000.00 at $10 per $500. Provides collected taxes to be in a restricted account and distributed within 2 years for affordable housing.
Eliminates mandated housing densities/density bonuses for public drinking water supply watersheds/groundwater. Requires densities not exceed water availability, introduce pollution, stay within public water or sewer system capacity limits.
Maddy summarySB 2146 creates a regulatory framework for peer-to-peer car sharing through apps (like Turo), requiring specific insurance coverage for rentals. It directly affects users who rent vehicles via these apps and owners who list their cars for rent. The bill prescribes minimum insurance standards to cover liability during rentals, ensuring both renters and vehicle owners have protection under the program.
Ensures that the State of Rhode Island adopt the protections afforded under the Occupational Safety and Health Act if its scope or enforcement capacity is diminished.
Maddy summarySB 2171 changes how government job classifications are reviewed for promotions. It removes "supervising other employees" as a factor considered when determining eligibility for position upgrades under the merit system. This directly affects public employees whose job classifications are assessed through the OPA desk audit process. The bill amends existing rules to focus classification decisions on other criteria, not supervisory responsibilities.
Authorizes a blanket permit and fee to allow the movement of self-propelled cranes which are in excess of size and weight load requirements, to move on state highways.
Creates the interchange fee restriction act prohibiting interchange fees on sales and use tax or excise tax when payment is made with a credit or debit card.
Maddy summarySB 2344 prohibits payment networks and financial institutions from charging merchants interchange fees on the tax or gratuity portions of electronic payments. It requires merchants to report tax/gratuity amounts during transaction authorization or settlement to avoid these fees, or submit documentation within 180 days for refunds. Merchants who fail to report can still seek refunds by providing tax/gratuity documentation, and payment networks face $1,000 penalties per violation for noncompliance. The law applies to credit/debit card transactions and takes effect January 1, 2027.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio and officially names the Rhode Island Senate Chamber in his memory. The bill directly affects the Rhode Island Senate by formally dedicating the chamber to Ruggerio, who served as Senate President and the longest-serving member of the Senate for over 40 years. Key provisions include expressing sympathy to Ruggerio's family, authorizing the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the resolution to his family, and establishing the chamber naming as a permanent tribute to his public service. The resolution does not create new laws or policy changes but serves as a commemorative measure recognizing Ruggerio's leadership and contributions to the state.
